Marko Arnautovic has still got it, or maybe he never lost it.
The ex-Stoke and West Ham man is currently plying his trade back with Inter Milan, and may have just scored the best goal of his career.
GettyArnautovic scored the goal of a lifetime[/caption]
sport tvGuendouzi was a sight as he shook his head in shock[/caption]
The enigmatic Austrian has been known for moments of brilliance, but no one saw this one coming.
Lurking on the edge of the box in Inter’s quarter-final Coppa Italia tie with Lazio, a ball was headed clear from a corner and despite having time to take a touch, he smashed it first time.
The shot wickedly rocketed through the box and was nestled in the bottom of Christos Mandas’ net before he could even move.
Inter’s squad lifted their hands in shock, but the best reaction was that of Matteo Guendouzi, with the former Arsenal man a picture as he stood with his hands on his hips shaking his head.
Chances were few and far between either side of that 39th minute strike, but Hakan Calhanoglou was on hand to put the game to bed in the 77th minute from the spot.
With the Italian cup knockouts a one-legged affair, Inter have now booked a semi-final spot against city rivals Milan on April 23.
As for Arnautovic, the goal was yet another display of what a fine signing he’s been.
Happy to sit on the bench behind first-choice Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, the 35-year-old has proved his worth when called upon, scoring four times this season in 15 games and just three starts.
He’s also still doing the business for Austria, bagging two goals and an assist in a pair of Nations League games in October.
Arnautovic played for Inter in his early career and played a very small part in their 2010 European treble under Jose Mourinho.
Later joining Stoke in 2013, he proved to be a shrewd signing for just £2million, and again showed his worth with two 11-goal seasons with West Ham from 2017 to 2019, finishing as their top scorer in both campaigns.
He then stepped away from the big time with a move to Chinese club Shanghai Port, but a return to Europe with Bologna in 2019 saw some surprise interest.
Both Arnautovic and Adrien Rabiot were heavily linked to Manchester United as Erik ten Hag’s first signings in the summer of 2022.
The moves were widely ridiculed, but looking at current goings on at Old Trafford, it’s fair to say the veteran may have contributed more than some other big names.